Introduction

You will learn what Differentiation is

You will see how to apply it to solve

graph based problems

It is one of the single most important

topics there is in Maths!
 Differentiation
You need to be able to find the gradient
function of a formula
Straight Line =
On a straight line graph, the gradient is Constant
constant, the same everywhere along the Gradient
line.

On any curved graph, the gradient is always

changing. Its value depends on where you are tangent
along the x-axis.

The different gradients can be shown by Curved line =

tangents. These are lines that touch the Gradient
curve in only one place. Changes

Differentiation is the process whereby we

can find a formula to give the gradient on a
curve, at any point on it.
tangent
7B
 Differentiation
You need to be able to find the gradient Examples
function of a formula Find the derived function of each of
the following

As a general rule, if; a) f(x) = x3

f(x) = 3x2
This is the
formula for the
f ( x) ax n curve, ie) the b) f(x) = 2x2
function
f(x) = 4x1 (4x)

then
This is the gradient c) f(x) = x-2
function for f(x).
f '( x) nax n1 The formula that f(x) = -2x-3
gives the gradient at
any point.
d) f(x) = -3x-3
Its is also know as
the derivative, or f(x) = 9x-4
derived function
7B
 Differentiation
You need to be able to find the gradient Examples
function of a formula Find the derived function of each of
the following

As a general rule, if; 1

e) f ( x)
x2 Must be written in
This is the the form axn first!
formula for the f ( x) x 2
f ( x) ax n
curve, ie) the
function
f '( x) 2 x3

then
This is the gradient f) f ( x ) x
function for f(x). Must be written in
n 1
f '( x) nax The formula that the form axn first!
gives the gradient at
1

any point. f ( x) x 2

Its is also know as 1 12 f '( x)

1
f '( x) x
the derivative, or 2 2 x
derived function
7B
 Differentiation
You need to be able to solve Graphical Examples
problems using the Gradient Function a) Calculate the gradient of the curve
f(x) = x2 where x = 3

Remember that differentiating gives us a

formula for the gradient at a given point on f ( x) x 2 Differentiate to get
the graph (x). the gradient function
f '( x) 2 x
Substitute in the
A standard question will ask you to work out value for x at the
the gradient of a curve at a particular point. f '(3) 6 required point
This is when differentiating is used.
b) Calculate the gradient of the curve
f(x) = x2 at the coordinate (-2,4)

y = x2 f ( x) x 2 Differentiate to get
the gradient function
f '( x) 2 x
Substitute in the
value for x at the
f '(2) 4 required point

7C
 Differentiation
You need to be able to solve Graphical Examples
problems using the Gradient Function c) Find dy/dx when y equals x2 6x - 4

Remember that differentiating gives us a y x2 6x 4 Differentiate

formula for the gradient at a given point on each term
the graph (x). separately.
A number on
A standard question will ask you to work out its own
dy
the gradient of a curve at a particular point. 2x 6 disappears
This is when differentiating is used. dx

This also means the

gradient function

7C
 Differentiation
You need to be able to solve Graphical Examples
problems using the Gradient Function d) Find dy/dx when y equals 3 5x2.

Remember that differentiating gives us a y 3 5x2 Differentiate

formula for the gradient at a given point on each term
the graph (x). separately.
A number on
A standard question will ask you to work out its own
dy
the gradient of a curve at a particular point. 10x disappears
This is when differentiating is used. dx

7C
 Differentiation
You need to be able to solve Graphical Examples
problems using the Gradient Function e) Let f(x) = 4x2 8x + 3. Find the
gradient of the curve y = f(x) at the
point (1/2, 0)
Remember that differentiating gives us a
formula for the gradient at a given point on y 4 x2 8x 3 Differentiate to
the graph (x). get the gradient
dy function
A standard question will ask you to work out 8x 8
the gradient of a curve at a particular point. dx Substitute in
This is when differentiating is used. x = 1/2
f ' 1 2 8 1 2 8
f ' 1 2 4

7C
 Differentiation
You need to be able to solve Graphical Examples
problems using the Gradient Function f) Find the coordinates when the graph
y = 2x2 - 5x + 3 has a gradient of 7.

Remember that differentiating gives us a y 2 x2 5x 3 Differentiate to

formula for the gradient at a given point on get the gradient
the graph (x). function
f '( x) 4 x 5
A standard question will ask you to work out The gradient is 7 at the point we want
the gradient of a curve at a particular point.
This is when differentiating is used.
7 4x 5
Add 5
12 4x
The x coordinate where the gradient is Divide by 4
7 has a value of 3. Substitute this into 3 x
the ORIGINAL function to find the y-
coordinate
y 2 x2 5x 3
So the graph has a gradient of 7 at y 2(3)2 5(3) 3
(3,6)
y6 7C
 Differentiation
You need to be able to solve Graphical Examples
problems using the Gradient Function g) Find the gradient of the curve y = x2
where it meets the line y = 4x - 3
Set the equations equal to each other (to
Remember that differentiating gives us a represent where they meet)
formula for the gradient at a given point on
the graph (x). x2 4 x 3 Group on
the left
A standard question will ask you to work out x2 4x 3 0
the gradient of a curve at a particular point. Factorise
This is when differentiating is used.
( x 3)( x 1) 0

The lines will meet at (3,9) and

x 3 or x 1
(1,1) by substitution. Differentiate y = x2 to get the gradient
function
At (3,9) the gradient will be 6
(by putting 3 into the gradient y x2
function)
dy
At (1,1) the gradient will be 2 2x
(by putting 1 into the gradient dx
function)
7C
 Differentiation
You need to be able to deal with much Examples
more complicated equations when Differentiate the following:
differentiating
a) x3 3x 1
Rewrite in the
Remember as before, all terms must be
form axn
written in the form axn before they can be 3x 4 x 3
differentiated.
Differentiate
dy
It is useful to note that at this stage, being 12 x3 3x 2
able to rewrite in this way is not essential. dx
Factorise
However being able to switch between forms dy
will be very useful on harder questions. 3x2 4 x 1
dx

Being able to do this now is worth practising

as you will definitely need it on C2/3/4!

7E
 Differentiation
You need to be able to deal with much Examples
more complicated equations when Differentiate the following:
differentiating 1
b)
x Rewrite in the
Remember as before, all terms must be
form axn
written in the form axn before they can be
1

2
differentiated. x
Differentiate
3
dy 1
It is useful to note that at this stage, being x 2

able to rewrite in this way is not essential. dx 2 Imagine the term

However being able to switch between forms 3 was split apart
dy 1
will be very useful on harder questions. x 2
dx 2 Rewrite the x
term using power
Being able to do this now is worth practising rules
dy 1 1
as you will definitely need it on C2/3/4!
dx 2 x3 Group the
fractions by
dy 1 multiplying
tops/bottoms
dx 2 x3
7E
 Differentiation
You need to be able to deal with much Examples
more complicated equations when Differentiate the following:
differentiating x2
c)
x2 Split into 2
Remember as before, all terms must be fractions
written in the form axn before they can be x

2
differentiated. x2 x2 Cancel xs on the
first one
1 2
It is useful to note that at this stage, being 2
x x Rewrite in the
able to rewrite in this way is not essential.
form axn
However being able to switch between forms x 1 2 x 2
will be very useful on harder questions.
Differentiate
dy 2 3
x 4x
Being able to do this now is worth practising dx
Rewrite using
as you will definitely need it on C2/3/4! power rules
dy 1 4
2 3
dx x x Make the
Denominators
dy x 4 x 4 common
3 3
dx x x x3 7E
 Differentiation
You can repeat the process of Examples
differentiation to get the second
dy d2y
order derivative Find and of the following:
dx dx 2

f ( x) Original Equation a) y 3x5

4
x2

4
dy Differentiate f ( x) 3 x 5
f '( x) or once (first order x2 Rewrite in the
dx derivative) form axn
f ( x) 3x5 4 x2
Differentiate
f '( x) 15 x 4 8 x 3
2 Differentiate
f ''( x) or d y Differentiate
again
twice (second f ''( x) 60 x3 24 x 4
dx 2 order derivative)

7F
 Differentiation
You can repeat the process of Examples
differentiation to get the second
dy d2y
order derivative Find and of the following:
dx dx 2

f ( x) Original Equation b) y 3 x
1
2x

1
dy Differentiate f ( x) 3 x
f '( x) or once (first order 2x Rewrite in the
dx derivative)
1
1 form axn
f ( x) 3x 2 x 1
2 Differentiate
1
3 1
f '( x) x 2 x 2
2 2 2
f ''( x) or d y Differentiate Differentiate
twice (second 3 32 again
dx 2 order derivative) f ''( x) x x 3
4

7F
 Differentiation
You can use differentiation to find
the tangent to a curve at a
particular point, as well as the
normal at that point Normal

Remember the curve we have is

based on an equation

Curve
The tangent is a straight line that
intersects the curve at on point
only.
The gradient of the tangent is the Tangent
same as the gradient of the curve at
the point given (so you can
differentiate to get it)

The normal is a straight line

perpendicular to the tangent where
is touches the curve.

7H
 Differentiation
You can use differentiation to find y x 3 3x 2 2 x 1 Differentiate to
the tangent to a curve at a particular get the gradient
point, as well as the normal at that dy function
point 3x 2 6 x 2
dx Substitute the x
value in to find
Find the equation of the tangent to the f (3) 3(3)2 6(3) 2 the gradient
curve y = x3 3x2 + 2x - 1, at the point The gradient at
(3,5). (3,5) is 11
f (3) 11
So we need the gradient of the tangent. Use the formula for a straight line!
It will be the same as the gradient of
the curve at the point given (x = 3) Substitute the
y y1 m( x x1 ) co-ordinate and
gradient in
y 5 11( x 3)
Curve Expand bracket
y 5 11x 33
Add 5
Tangent y 11x 28

7H
 Differentiation
You can use differentiation to find y 83 x
the tangent to a curve at a particular Rewrite
1
point, as well as the normal at that
point y 8 3x 2

Differentiate
dy 3 12
Find the equation of the normal to the x
curve y = 8 - 3x at the point where x = dx 2 Rewrite for
4. substitution
3 1
f ( x)
Start by finding the gradient of the 2 x
curve at that point. Sub in x = 4
3 1
f (4)
Gradient = -3/4 (this is of the tangent) 2 4 The Gradient
where x = 4 is -3/4
The Normal is perpendicular to the 3
tangent f (4)
4
Gradient of the Normal = 4/3

7H
 Differentiation
You can use differentiation to find y 83 x
the tangent to a curve at a particular Substitute in x = 4
point, as well as the normal at that
point
y 83 4
3 times 2 = 6!
Find the equation of the normal to the y2
curve y = 8 - 3x at the point where x =
4. Use the formula for a straight line!

Gradient of the Normal = 4/3 y y1 m( x x1 ) Substitute the

co-ordinate and
4 gradient in
y 2 ( x 4)
Now we need the co-ordinates at that 3 Multiply by 3
point. We already have x = 4.
3 y 6 4( x 4)
Expand bracket
Co-ordinates at the intersection = (4,2) 3 y 6 4 x 16
Rearrange
3 y 4 x 10 0
7H
 Differentiation
y = x2

Showing how differentiation

works (sort of!)

Multiply the
bracket
This is a lowercase delta, Gradient = change in
Group some representing a small increase y change in x
terms in x

Cancel x

(x+x, (x+x)2) (x+x)2 x2

At the original
point, x = 0

x+x - x

(x, x2)
 Differentiation
y = f(x)

Showing how differentiation

works (sort of!)

Simplify the
denominator
This is a lowercase delta, Gradient = change in
representing a small increase y change in x
in x

(x+x, f(x+x)) f(x+x) f(x)

x+x - x
This is the definition for (x, f(x))
differentiating a function
(you wont really need this
specifically until C3)
 Summary
We have learnt what Differentiation is,
and the process used

We have also seen the appropriate

notation

We have also seen when to use it